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Calling all crafty patriots and fans of interactive fun! Get ready to dive into a creative project that will bring a touch of magic to your 4th of July celebrations. In this blog post, we will show you how to make an Uncle Sam Craft using the art of origami. Not only will you learn a new folding technique, but we'll also sprinkle in some fascinating fun facts about Independence Day along the way. So, grab your colorful paper, fire up your imagination, and let's embark on a creative journey to celebrate the spirit of freedom!
Did you ever make Cootie Catchers as a kid? I did! Cootie Catchers are also known as fortune tellers. This is a simple project for kids to learn basic origami skills.
Download your FREE Uncle Sam Cootie Catcher template. You can find the link at the bottom of this post. Print on 8.5x11 white paper. Cut out the pieces.
Fold the cootie catcher in half horizontally and unfold. Then fold the cootie catcher vertically and unfold.
Fun Fact:
Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, commemorates the day when the United States declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776. It marks the birth of the nation and the beginning of a journey towards liberty and self-governance.
Flip it over so the printed side is facing down. Take the bottom right corner and fold the point into the center. Repeat step on each corner until all four corners are folded.
Fun Fact:
The American flag, with its iconic stars and stripes, is a symbol of pride and unity. Did you know that the flag originally had 13 stars and 13 stripes, representing the 13 original colonies? As new states joined the Union, the flag evolved to feature 50 stars, each representing a state.
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Flip the cootie catcher again so the printed side is facing down. Take the four corners and fold them into the center again.
Fold the cootie catcher in half vertically and horizontally and unfold.
Fun Fact:
Fireworks have become synonymous with 4th of July celebrations. The tradition dates back to the first Independence Day, when John Adams, one of the Founding Fathers, envisioned the day being celebrated with "pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations." So, every year, we light up the night sky to honor this tradition and add sparkle to the festivities!
Slip your fingers under the flaps and open the cootie catcher.
Glue the top sides together and then the bottom sides together. You will no longer be able to open the cootie catcher if you do this but it will help the puppet stay together for kids to play with.
It is now time to glue all of the extras onto Uncle Sam. This is where the cootie catcher really comes to life. Start by glueing the hat to the top of his forehead. Then glue the arms and legs onto the back.
When it comes to glueing the bowtie and goatee onto Uncle Sam, be careful to no use too much glue on these parts. For the bowtie, place just enough glue on the backside to cover the middle circle. Attach it to the front of Uncle Sam's jacket. The goatee just needs a line of glue the covers the top of it then attach it to the chin of Uncle Sam.
GLUEING TIP: After I glue each part, I like to hold it in place long enough for the glue to setup before I move onto the next piece.
Fun Fact:
The Liberty Bell is an enduring symbol of American freedom. It famously bears the inscription, "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." Today, it can be found on display in Philadelphia, where it rang to announce the reading of the Declaration of Independence for the first time.
There you have it! An Uncle Sam Catcher! As promised, I've included a link to the FREE printable below. Downloads are available for all members. You can also sign up for a membership for free! Click on the link to signup and find the Uncle Sam Cootie Catcher.
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